Cancer Patients Urged To Sign Up  For National Covid Antibody Survey

The NHS has launched a national Covid Cancer Antibody Survey to assess antibody responses to the COVID-19 vaccines among cancer patients and is calling on cancer patients to sign up now.

One of the first surveys of its kind, it will facilitate greater understanding of the protection that people with cancer develop following Covid-19 infection and/or vaccination. It will also help experts understand whether and how antibody response differs between different cancer types and whether any particular treatments have an impact on response.

By signing up for the survey, patients will help to develop understanding of what antibody levels mean for people with cancer and help to ensure they receive the best treatment, care and support, as well allowing them to find out about their own antibody levels.

Click here to sign up for the Covid Cancer Antibody Survey

Vaccination is an important strategy to protect society from the effects of Covid-19, but there is emerging evidence that a small number of cancer patients may have lower levels of antibody response than the general population. It is not yet fully understood what lower levels of antibodies mean in terms of outcomes, but it may mean less protection from Covid-19 for some people with cancer. 

The survey is open to people aged 18 or over living in England who have either been diagnosed with cancer in the last year or are currently receiving cancer treatment. Participants will be sent a finger-prick blood test that looks for antibodies against Covid-19 in the blood. It will be sent in the post and comes with everything needed to complete and return the test.

Participants fill in a short form with their details before being automatically redirected through to the NHS Test and  Trace antibody test booking page where they will be able to book a free test. There are 10,000 places on this survey and the NHS expects to be recruiting participants for the next two to three months.

Registration for the survey is required here before ordering your antibody test. Further enquiries can also be directed through the site.